While the Central Holmes girls brought home two state championships this past year in track and cross country, it was the football teams that likely showed the most improvement in 2021.
The Trojans won just one game in 2020 and got off to a shaky start, losing their first three games. But back-to-back 24-6 wins over Delta Streets and Winona Christian got the Trojans back on track. The Trojans then finished with a big 46-12 win over previously unbeaten Benton and finished with a 20-14 win over Indianola to finish the regular season.
After a first-round bye in the playoffs, Central Holmes grabbed a playoff win over Benton before facing eventual state champion Greenville Christian in the Class 3A semifinals.
“We had a lot of room to grow after last year and winning one game,” Womack said. “Then we had that gauntlet of Class 4A schools but the kids fought through that, and it made us a better team. There was a level of play and determination we had to reach. We won five games and made it to the semifinals, and nobody saw that coming. I think the way we ended and the way this offseason is going to look, we are losing five seniors but bring back a lot next year. And now these kids know what it takes to win. I’m appreciative of those seniors. They laid the foundation for us to work from.”
Central Holmes girls can run
The Central Holmes girls showed off their strength in the running events this past season.
In the spring, the Central Holmes girls won the Class 3A track meet, led by senior Breann Bell who dominated the distance events. Bell won the 800, 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs as the Lady Trojans edged out Canton Academy by 15 points.
Central Holmes also won the 4x200-meter and the 4x400-meter relays as well.
Despite graduating Bell, the girls cross country team also repeated as state champions in cross country as well this fall, winning the Class 4A meet. The Lady Trojans finished with a team total of 25 points. Lady Trojan Allie McBride was fourth overall and second in Class 4A to lead Central Holmes.
